TIG Post

Tag: Member of Parliament

  • Supreme Court doesn’t decide what happens in Parliament Apaak

    The Minority in Parliament has dared the Supreme Court judges to come to the chamber to enforce their ruling that a Deputy Speaker presiding over Parliament has voting rights.  

    “Folks, we wait to see who will enter the Chamber of Parliament to restrain us from preventing an attempt by a presiding Deputy Speaker to vote,” Dr. Clement Apaak, the National Democratic Congress’ Member of Parliament for Builsa South in the Upper East Region said in a Facebook post on Thursday, March 10, 2022.  

    He stated that the Supreme Court does not decide what happens in Parliament, but rather the Constitution and standing orders do.

    “We resisted attempts to use all kinds of schemes and plots, including a military invasion of the Chamber of Parliament, to get Rt. Hon. Aaron Mike Oquaye, their preferred, was elected in the early hours of January 7, 2020. 

    “We stood our grounds, resisted the oppression and oppressors, and voted for Rt. Hon. Speaker Alban Sumana Bagbin as Speaker of this 8th Parliament. He was elected; he didn’t become speaker by conferment and consensus as claimed by some dishonest and insincere elements,” he stated.

    Dr Apaak said the Minority will “continue to resist any attempt by other arms of government to meddle with the work of Parliament”, adding, “Parliament is a master of its rules, we make our rules, and they are not at variance with the constituency.”

    Quoting Minority leader Haruna Iddrissu, Dr. Apaak said the ruling of the Supreme Court of Ghana amounts to a “judicial interference in time tested Parliamentary practice and established convention.” 

    “And yes, the Supreme Court’s ruling is judicial support for the killer E-Levy. However, this will not change our resolve to vote 137 No, against the much-hated, rejected, and obnoxious extortion scheme called E-levy,” he added. 

    The Supreme Court on Thursday, March 10 2022, in a 7-0 decision, ruled that Deputy Speakers presiding as speakers in Parliament have voting rights. 

    The opposition NDC and its Minority in Parliament, unhappy with the ruling, have described it as judicial interference in parliamentary practice.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Jomoro MP has two dates of birth Petitioner tells court


    In a case challenging the nationality of the Member of Parliament for Jomoro Constituency, the petitioner has told the Sekondi Takoradi High Court that Dorcas Affo-Toffey has two dates of birth.

    Joshua Emuah Kofie of Nuba-Mpataba in the Jomoro Constituency last year filed a suit challenging the Jomoro MP to produce evidence of her renounced dual citizenship.

    According to the petitioner, Dorcas Affo-Toffey was not qualified to contest in the 2020 parliamentary elections as she bore dual citizenship at the time.

    In the petitioner’s case, the MP holds a Ghanaian passport with the number G2192584, issued in Accra on October 9, 2018, with her date of birth stated as May 4, 1972.

    Joshua Emuah Kofie again states that the Jomoro MP also holds an Ivorian passport with number 18AR54825 issued on July 27, 2018, with her date of birth and place of birth stated as May 4, 1971, and Adzope in the Ivory Coast, respectively.

    The petitioner said the MP, who is the first respondent, initially held an Ivorian passport with the number 16AK13363 issued on January 19, 2017, but she declared it as missing on July 26, 2018.

    The first respondent subsequently applied and was issued with a new passport with number 18AR154825, on which she changed her profession from student to entrepreneur.

    This was stated in a response by the petitioner to the MPs amended answer filed at the High Court pursuant to leave of the court dated January 25, 2022.

    Dorcas Affo-Toffey, having initially filed a response to the request to produce evidence of her citizenship renunciation to the court, applied to amend her answer at the court’s last sitting.

    As granted by the court, she accordingly filed her amended answer stating that at the time of filing her nomination forms to contest the parliamentary election, she was only Ghanaian.

    She explained that by Article 48 of the nationality code and law of the identification of persons of the Ivory Coast, once a person holding an Ivorian nationality expresses an interest in not being an Ivorian national again, in order to become a national of another country, the person forfeits their Ivorian nationality.

    She stated that in 2019, before filing her nomination forms to contest the December 2020 parliamentary elections, she had officially written to the Ivorian authorities informing them that she forthwith ceased to be an Ivorian national.

    “Therefore, by the operation of Article 48 of the nationality code of Ivory Coast, I ceased to be an Ivorian national in compliance with Article 94 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution to contest the Jomoro seat,” she noted.

    However, the petitioner, in response to the respondent’s answer, maintained that she never renounced her Ivorian nationality in 2019.

    According to the petitioner, the claim by the first respondent was disingenuous and an afterthought.

    He contended that even if the first respondent submitted any such letter as alleged, the mere submission of any such letter did not strip the MP of her Ivorian nationality.

    “At the time the MP filed her nomination forms, she was a full-fledged Ivorian national and thus owed allegiance to that country,” he stated.

    “She was therefore not qualified to contest the 2020 parliamentary elections,” the petitioner stressed.

    The court is yet to fix a new date for the hearing of the case.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • We will regain our majority control in Parliament in 2024 Ntim assures NPP

    The former first vice chairman and an aspiring national chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party, Stephen Ntim has assured the party members that he will make sure the party regains its full majority control in parliament in 2024.

    He said this in the wake of challenges the party is facing in the hung parliament which has made it difficult to get their programs passed.

    Addressing party members in the Greater Accra Region, he said the party lost many seats due to the inability of the party to resolve some of the internal grievances after the primaries. He said there are seats or constituencies that the NPP should not have lost and would make sure all those seats are won in 2024.

    “We are going to have an effective and fair procedure in place to bring everybody on board after an internal election. We will put in measures that will be difficult for the losing side to say they will not work for the party. NPP as a party will work again to bring the needed development to the good people of Ghana. How can we sit here and say we do not have an MP on the ticket of NPP in Okaikwei North. We need that seat back in 2024 and we will do all in our power to win it.”

    The New Patriotic Party (NPP) went into 2020 with 167 but ended the election with 137 while the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) also secured 137 seats.

    However, Andrew Asiamah Amoako (24 February 1966) an NPP member but elected as an independent member of Parliament for Fomena has decided to do business with the NPP on the floor of Parliament giving the party a slim majority.

    Source: kasapafmonline.com

  • Lack of bridges: MP recalls how a child trying to cross a stream to school in Upper East reg. died

    Member of Parliament for Bongo Constituency, Edward Abambire Bawa has appealed to the Roads Minister to consider the construction of bridges in Boe-Nayire and Tankoo-Wagliga in the Upper East Region as an emergency project instead of waiting for it to be programmed for 2023.

    According to him, the deplorable state of these roads led to the death of a child in an attempt to cross a stream to go to school.

    “If you look at Beo-Nayire and then Tankoo-Wagliga, those two projects are indeed a very serious challenge. Last year we lost a child as a result of that the child trying to cross to go to school. You have kids having to cross the stream or the river to the next place to be able to attend school, so during rainy season there are kids who are just cut off from schooling. So would you look at this within the context of the emergency project you do at the ministry instead of waiting for 2023?”

    Speaking on the floor of parliament, he said “I want to ask the Minister for Roads and Transport, when the bridges or culverts on the following stretch of roads would be constructed; Beo-Nayire, Soe Azoosie, Tanoo-Wagliga, Akundoo-Bongo, Abokobisi-Sikabisi and Kuyelingo.”

    The transport minister, in response said, there is currently no programme for the road but the implementation will be captured under the 2023 budget.

    “The Engineering design and assessment studies are being conducted to determine the hydraulic capacity and size of the drainage structure required for installation at the identified location. Estimates for the upgrading of the road will also be prepared by the end of the second quarter of 2022. The implementation of the project will be considered under the 2023 budget,” Kwasi Amoako-Attah said.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Three-member Zambian delegation in town to study Ghana’s Parliament

    A three-member delegation from the National Assembly of Zambia is in Ghana for a five-day study visit of Ghana’s Parliament.

    The delegation, led by Madam Princess Kasune, Deputy Government Chief Whip, National Assembly of Zambia, is accompanied by Mrs. Cynthia Nkyeraa, a Senior and National Relations Assistant and a Principal Clerk.

    The visit is intended to deepen the relations between Ghana’s Parliament and Zambia’s Legislature.

    Mr. Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, in his opening address for the House on Tuesday in the Second Session of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana, introduced and welcomed the delegation.

    He called for the necessary and related learning assistance to the delegation to make their study trip worthwhile.

    Parliament resumed sitting on Tuesday after the legislators took a break for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

    The Second Session of the Eighth Parliament will see the passage of bills and agreements, including the contentious Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) Bill.

    Parliament was compelled to adjourn its sitting to January 25, 2022, without passing the controversial 1.75 per cent E- Levy.

    The Bill was brought after the House reconvened on December 21, 2021, following the abrupt suspension of sittings by the Second Deputy Speaker, Mr. Andrews Asiamah, after a scuffle during the voting on the levy.

    Source: GNA

  • Stop discriminating against persons living with disabilities Wenchi MP to Ghanaians

    The Member of Parliament (MP) for the Wenchi constituency in the Bono region, Alhaji Haruna Seidu, has underscored the need for Ghanaians to end any form of discrimination against physically challenged persons.

    He said, “People living with disabilities (PWD) rather deserve love and support so that they could strive”.

    Alhaji Haruna gave the call when he presented 36 brand new wheelchairs to some PWDs in the Wenchi Municipality.

    He said caring for the PWDs should be a shared responsibility but not a business for one man.

    “I encourage everyone to come on board to get physically challenged persons off the streets by providing them with their needs and wants.

    We could be building a just, content and thriving society,”  the Wenchi MP stressed.

    Presenting the items, Alhaji Haruna said he provided 36 wheelchairs instead of the original 31 requested by the PWDs in Wenchi.

    This, he noted will cater for any other persons who have not been captured by the register.

    Stop discriminating against persons living with disabilities Wenchi MP to Ghanaians

    “I hope these wheelchairs will aid you in your day-to-day activities so take good care of them to last longer,” Alhaji Haruna noted.

    Chairman of the Wenchi Municipal Physically Challenged Association, Richard Ofosu Ameyaw, commended the MP for his benevolence.

    He stated that the wheelchairs will be of immense help to members of his association.

    “I will implore the society to help their physically challenged relatives to live meaningfully rather than begging on the streets,” he said.

    Stop discriminating against persons living with disabilities Wenchi MP to Ghanaians
    PLWDs with Alhaji Haruna

    One of the beneficiaries, Elizabeth Asantewaa, appealed to the MP to help their colleagues who needed walking aids other than wheelchairs for easy movement.

    She expressed gratitude to the Wenchi MP for the resolve to alleviate the suffering of PWDs in the Wenchi Municipality.

    Source: myjoyonline.com

  • Nhyiaeso MP reportedly arrested among V8 drivers abusing traffic regulations

    Ghana Police Service has arrested the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso and seven other drivers for not complying with road traffic regulations on Tuesday.

    According to a police statement, Dr Stephen Amoah who was driving his car with registration number GT 7059 20, and the other drivers mostly using Toyota Land Cruiser V8 vehicles were arrested for offences such as careless driving, dangerous driving and causing road obstruction.

    The drivers were rounded up at the Airport By-pass in Accra at about 4 pm and 6:30 pm on Tuesday, December 7, 2021.

    According to the police, the arrested drivers will be charged and put before court today, Wednesday, December 8, 2021.

    Read the full police statement below:

    POLICE DESCEND ON V8 ROAD TRAFFIC INDISCIPLINE

    ON 07/ 12 / 2021 BETWEEN 1600 AND 1830 HRS THE POLICE MOUNTED AN OPERATION AROUND AIRPORT BY PASS TO ARREST DRIVERS WHO WERE NOT COMPLYING WITH THE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATIONS.

    DURING THE EXERCISE, THE DRIVERS INCHARGE THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES WERE ARRESTED FOR THE OFFENCES OF CARELESS DRIVING, DANGEROUS DRIVING AND CAUSING ROAD OBSTRUCTION AMONG OTHERS:

    1. DRIVER INCHARGE TOYOTA LAND CRUISER V8 WITH REGISTRATION NUMBER GN 5532 17, MR. JOSPEH BROWN

    2. DRIVER INCHARGE TOYOTA LAND CRUISER WITH REGISTRATION NUMBER GT 7059 20, HON DR. STEPHEN AMOAH

    3. DRIVER INCHARGE TOYOTA 4 RUNNER WITH REGISTRATION NUMBER GE 303 2O, MR SAMUEL A. ANIM

    4. DRIVER INCHARGE TOYOTA LAND CRUISER WITH REGISTRATION NUMBER GE 1611 17, EMMANUEL KOFI OFORI

    5. DRIVER INCHARGE TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 4×4 SUV WITH REGISTRATION NUMBER GE 14 21, MR. DIMINI ATUAHENE

    6. DRIVER INCHARGE TOYOTA LAND CRUISER WITH REGISTRATION NUMBER GN 3516 18, MR. DANIEL BOATENG

    7. DRIVER INCHARGE TOYOTA LAND CRUISER WITH REGISTRATION NUMBER GT 856 20, THOMAS ATINGA. THEY ARE BEING PROCESSED FOR COURT TODAY 8/12/2021.

    THE POLICE ARE VERY DETERMINED TO ENFORCE THE LAWS OF THE COUNTRY. WE CALL ON ALL TO SUPPORT US IN THIS ENDEAVOUR.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Use dialogue to resolve current and future deadlocks – Peace Council to Parliament

    The National Peace Council has called on both sides of Parliament to continue the path of dialogue in resolving the current impasse over the 2022 budget statement and those that may recur in the future.

    The Council in a statement noted that it has met with both sides and expressed concern about the disturbing happenings in Parliament and called for calm.

    “The Council further urged the leaders to resort to dialogue and consensus building in resolving the impasse.”

    “The Council further urge the media and those who make statements on the matter to exercise maximum restraint in their pronouncements to protect the peace, security and integrity of our beloved country,” the statement added.

    Below is their letter to Parliament:

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Only the Supreme Court can restore order to Parliament – Tarzan

    Charles Wereko Brobbey, Chief Policy Analyst at the Ghana Institute of Public Policy Options, GIPPO, has reacted to current happenings in the Parliament of Ghana where the Majority Group and Minority are having stern disagreements.

    In his view, the apex court of the land, the Supreme Court of Ghana, appears to be the only institution that can restore order to the lawmaking chamber.

    “At this juncture, only the Supreme Court can restore order to the Parliament of Ghana,” he posted on his known social media handles – Twitter and Facebook.

    Parliament’s rejection on November 26, 2021, of the 2022 budget statement and subsequent recision of that decision and passage of the budget on November 30, 2021, has raised a number of legal issues.

    In the case of the rejection, there is the argument that there was no quorum in the first place for the said vote to be valid. The official count on the day was 137 MPs voting to reject the ballot.

    The session was led by Speaker Alban Bagbin, who in a social media post insists that there were 138 MPs in the house of 275 despite the Majority Group walking out.

    Four days later when the Majority moved to rescind the rejection, the presiding Speaker’s decision to count himself as the 138th MP despite acting as Speaker has also been challenged as illegal. He defends it as valid stressing that he did not vote.

    Charles Wereko Brobbey, Chief Policy Analyst at the Ghana Institute of Public Policy Options, GIPPO, has reacted to current happenings in the Parliament of Ghana where the Majority Group and Minority are having stern disagreements.

    In his view, the apex court of the land, the Supreme Court of Ghana, appears to be the only institution that can restore order to the lawmaking chamber.

    “At this juncture, only the Supreme Court can restore order to the Parliament of Ghana,” he posted on his known social media handles – Twitter and Facebook.

    Parliament’s rejection on November 26, 2021, of the 2022 budget statement and subsequent recision of that decision and passage of the budget on November 30, 2021, has raised a number of legal issues.

    In the case of the rejection, there is the argument that there was no quorum in the first place for the said vote to be valid. The official count on the day was 137 MPs voting to reject the ballot.

    The session was led by Speaker Alban Bagbin, who in a social media post insists that there were 138 MPs in the house of 275 despite the Majority Group walking out.

    Four days later when the Majority moved to rescind the rejection, the presiding Speaker’s decision to count himself as the 138th MP despite acting as Speaker has also been challenged as illegal. He defends it as valid stressing that he did not vote.

    A journalist cum lawyer has filed a motion at the Supreme Court seeking an invalidation of the November 26 process that resulted in a rejection of the budget.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

    A journalist cum lawyer has filed a motion at the Supreme Court seeking an invalidation of the November 26 process that resulted in a rejection of the budget.

  • Tidal wave: Parliamentary staff donate to the people of Dzita

    A member of Staff and Assistant Director of Works and Project at the Development at Parliament, Emmanuel Worlanyo Kudah, over the weekend led some staff of the Parliamentary Service to donate some relief items to the people of Dzita and its environs who were affected by the recent tidal waves which rendered them homeless.

    The relief items donated by the staff of Parliament, include brand new and used clothes, rice, cooking oil, soap, tissues, detergent etc.

    The Member of Parliament for the Anlo Constituency Richard Kwame Sefe who received the items on behalf of the people thanked Mr Kudah for the initiative and benevolence.

    The MP acknowledged that some individuals and corporate organizations have come to their aid, but that has not been enough to alleviate the plight of his people.

    A member of Staff and Assistant Director of Works and Project at the Development at Parliament, Emmanuel Worlanyo Kudah, over the weekend led some staff of the Parliamentary Service to donate some relief items to the people of Dzita and its environs who were affected by the recent tidal waves which rendered them homeless.

    The relief items donated by the staff of Parliament, include brand new and used clothes, rice, cooking oil, soap, tissues, detergent etc.

    The Member of Parliament for the Anlo Constituency Richard Kwame Sefe who received the items on behalf of the people thanked Mr Kudah for the initiative and benevolence.

    The MP acknowledged that some individuals and corporate organizations have come to their aid, but that has not been enough to alleviate the plight of his people.

    The Anlo legislator has, therefore, appealed to the government to commence the Keta Sea Defense project that had stalled to provide a lasting solution to the ravaging tidal waves.

    Source: classfmonline.com

  • Parliament begins public hearing on LGBTQ+ bill

    The constitutional, legal, and parliamentary affairs committee of Parliament will today begin the first of a series of public hearings on the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021 also known as the LGBTQ+ bill.

    The committee is expected to consider 10 memoranda each week.

    This means over the next 15, parliament will deliberate over the 150 memoranda presented before the House.

    Background LGBTQ+ bill

    A team of 8 MPs led by Samuel Nartey George have jointly submitted a private bill to push for the criminalization of LGBTQI+ activities in the country. The Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021 was laid in the House on Monday, August 2 and read for the first time.

    Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, subsequently referred the Bill to the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Committee for consideration. He urged the public to submit memoranda on the bill

    It is based on this a group of 18 renowned lawyers, academics and other professionals sent a memorandum to parliament for the bill to be thrashed, stating that it violates the fundamental human right guaranteed in the constitution.

    Ghanaians have, however, bashed them for their position against the bill but they have clarified that their call for the bill to be thrashed is based on the fact that it violates all the fundamental human rights in the constitution and not that they are in support of gay and lesbianism.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Finance Minister Presents US$28 million car loan agreement to Parliament

    Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has submitted to Parliament for approval a loan agreement of US$28 million pending consideration by the Finance Committee.

    This is for the purchase of 275 vehicles for members of the 8th Parliament.

    Parliament has also approved a US$200 million World Bank loan to buy COVID-19 vaccines.

    The amount which was approved on Tuesday, July 6 will also be used to cater for other activities to strengthen the health system.

    A report by the Finance Committee indicated that out of the US$200 million, UA$137.15million will be spent specifically on vaccine procurement.

    Portions of the report read “The committee was informed that each dose of the vaccine is estimated to cost US$10.55.”

    The report added that, “this financing would provide improved access to affordable and equitable COVID-19 vaccines, strengthen the system for effective deployment as well as enhance preparedness and response to the Ghana COVID-19 strategic preparedness and response programme.”

    Source: 3news.com

  • Seventh Parliament to be dissolved today

    The Seventh Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana will be dissolved today at midnight.

    This is in accordance with Article 113(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

    The dissolution will pave way for the inauguration of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic and the investiture of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the President-Elect on January 7th, 2021.

    President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday, January 5th, delivered his final State of the Nation address in accordance with Article 67 of the Constitution.


    A statement from Parliament said, “Members of the 8th Parliament will convene in the Chamber of Parliament to elect a Speaker and Two Deputy Speakers, in accordance with Articles 95, 96 and 100(2) of the 1992 Constitution, after which the elected Members of the 8th Parliament will be sworn in by the Speaker at the Chamber of Parliament as per Article 100(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.”


    “The President-elect will then be sworn in before the 8th Parliament in accordance with Article 57(3) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.”

    Source: GNA

  • It’s time for MPs to initiate development projects – David Asante

    The Managing Director of Ghana Publishing Company, David Asante wants parliamentarians to refrain from relying solely on development projects initiated by the government for their constituents.

    He thinks it is about time MPs initiated development projects on their own to complement what central government brings to the constituents.

    Speaking on Ekosii Sen on Asempa FM, David Asante said even though the 1992 Constitution does not state that MPs are responsible for development projects in their constituencies, the role has gradually shifted to be a part of their job description and must therefore be executed with all seriousness.

    According to David Asante, “If you take a critical look at the constitution, it clearly stipulates that developmental projects must be done by Municipal and District Chief Executives and the core mandate of MPs is to exercise an oversight role over the other arms of government and state institutions to ensure maximum accountability. But things have evolved and so MPs must adjust to the change.

    “The constitution states that MPs must exercise an oversight responsibility over the executive and other arms of government. It did not state that MPs are responsible for developments in the constituencies, however, this has become part of the job and constituents expect that MPs implement projects to develop their constituencies”.

    David Asante who is aspiring to lead the NPP as the parliamentary candidate for Nkawkaw constituency in the Eastern region said a good MP is the one with the ability to move developments into his constituency through his/her own initiatives.

    The aspirant said it is therefore important to vote for someone who is socially connected to influential people so that the person can use his connections in and outside the country to lobby for projects for his constituency.

    He explained that even though the President will ensure that each constituency gets its fair share of developments, it is certain the development from government will not be enough for every constituency.

    “The people are interested in development. The President will send development to every constituency to reflect the good deeds of his office however as an MP you must bring in development by activating your social contacts who can support you in developing your constituency”, he advised.

    Mr. David Asante further advised his colleague aspirants not to make unachievable campaign promises that they know deeply in their hearts that they are unachievable.

    Source: graphic.com.gh